Book Review: Ferrari F1 Champion Alberto Ascari in "Beneath the Scarlet Sky" Book

Mark Sullivan's historical fiction novel "Beneath A Scarlet Sky" is an epic tale from World War II. Although it's a fictional book, the incidents and characters it describes are true. Set in Nazi-occupied Milan and the Italian Alps during WWII, the book tells the heartbreaking story of an Italian teenager named Pino Lella, a man of heroic courage and resilience during the dark days of war. Pino Lella has a lot of moral values and is loving and courageous. During World War II, he rescues a lot of Jewish refugees from Italy to Switzerland and later works as a spy for the Allies while working as Hitler's left hand. It's such a good book, you feel like you're living it. During the reading, I felt like I was there with Pino Lella who saved Jews from the Italian Alps. This book gives a lot of perspectives from Italy, even though Italy was a major participant in World War II. The book chronicles many historical incidents from Italy during the World War II, which includes Nazi’s invasion in Italy with the support of Mussolini (the book hints that Mussolini has a broken relationship with Hitler), the Partisan movement in Italy, the suffering to Milan city due to the war, the fall and death of Mussolini and his mistress. Toward the end of the book there is a section that goes over what happened to the main characters after the war. The heroic Pino Lella is still alive in Italy (now 91). It's really interesting to know that one character, Alberto Ascari, taught Pino Lella to drive, won two Formula One World Championships with Ferrari in 1952 and 1953, and is considered as one of the greatest race car drivers of all time. Another character is Cardinal Alfredo Schuster, Archbishop of Milan, beatified in 1996 by John Paul II.

The reviewer in Passage_1 praises the author's storytelling in the book, stating that Sullivan treats the story with seriousness and adeptly maintains suspense throughout. The reviewer suggests that while the book falls under the historical fiction genre, it contains elements characteristic of a thriller, including surprises and anticipation. Scenes depicting warfare are described as intense and unsettling, prompting readers to confront the harsh realities of World War II and its repercussions. Ultimately, the reviewer views the book as a captivating read worthy of inclusion on one's list of must-reads.

On the road, I’m always looking to pick-up a great read and I’m a sucker for WWII themed books as I’ve lived in Frankfurt and Prague. I picked-up Mark Sullivan’s Beneath the Scarlet Sky and I was so impressed! And being a F1 Fan, it was great to learn that Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari, one of the best race car driver’s of all time and who won F1 Championships in 1952 and 1953 appears in the book in a stunning, positive way!

 Here's a link to Alberto Ascari https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formula1/alberto-ascari

If you like this article, please join us on our next travel tour to Italy September 1-8, 2022 for our Cradle of Supercars Adventure, which was promoted and featured in Sports Illustrated by the Italian Tourism Board. On our tour, you'll drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini, visit super car factories and museums like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati and, Imola racetrack, tour historic towns, and participate in Italian cooking and culinary experiences. We also have a day to Florence, Italy included, if you need to take a break from all the speed, brake dust and screeching tires! Save $800 when you travel with a friend!